Wednesday 15 April to Sunday 19 April, Barossa Valley.
The grapes are crushed and the harvest is done – welcome to the end of the 2015 vintage season! To cap another fantastic year of the grape, the biannual Barossa Vintage Festival is in town from April 15. Popularly known as Australia's original wine tourism event, Barossa Vintage Festival is this region’s biggest celebration of wine, food, music, art, culture and tradition.
The festival will showcase 95 exciting events over five days across various locations in the Barossa Valley region, all conveniently located only an hours drive from Adelaide.
Begin the celebrations by strolling around the historic ziegenmarkt (literally ‘goats market’) where a live auction and petting zoo as well as lively stalls displaying the region’s fresh produce will ensure a fun-filled morning.
Feeling hungry? A series of breakfasts, long lunches and dinners will be held all throughout the festival in addition to the Decadent Feast where old world charm will combine with a mouth-watering buffet feast, seven-piece swing band and dancers for a spectacular evening at Tanunda Showhall. For a great family day out, don’t forget to also check out Barossa Comes Home, an open-house picnic featuring wine tastings, grape treadings, markets and live music.
Of course, Barossa Vintage Festival is all about the wines so be sure to explore the many wineries along the scarecrow trail and immerse yourself in a few cellar tours and talks, including the ‘Old Vines or Old Wines?’ seminars conducted by Gibson Wines.
Finally, be sure to add the Vintage Festival Parade to your itinerary. A tradition since 1948, this lively parade spans from Nuriootpa to Tanunda, making it the longest parade in the Southern Hemisphere. Stake out your spot amongst the parade route as you watch more than 70 floats snake past – don’t forget to pack your esky!
If you’re planning to stay a night or two, the Barossa offers a range of accommodation options including the self-contained apartments surrounded by peaceful bushland in Cockatoo Valley's The Miners Cottage, perfect for quiet getaways.
Likewise, you’ll struggle to go hungry with the region’s wide range of cafés and restaurants showcasing the Barossa’s fresh locally sourced produce; Lyndoch’s The Table Café offers modern brunches in a relaxed, casual space while Casa Carboni Enoteca offers true rustic Italian flavours in the heart of Angaston.
For more information about Barossa Vintage Festival, visit: http://barossavintagefestival.com.au
